Guard for swinging bridges



(No Model.)

G. E, MO'RSTAD.

GUARD FOR SWINGING BRIDGES.

' No2 69,093; Patented "Dec: 1251 -882.

INVENTOR,

' ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GULBRAND E. MORSTAD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GUARD FOR SWINGING BRIDGES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,093, dated December 12, 1882,

Application filed August 15, 1882, (No model.)

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GULBRANDE. MoasrAro, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Guards for Swinging Bridges; and I dohereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a swing or draw bridge with my improved guard, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the guard detached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

My invention has relation to guards for swing or draw bridges; and it consists in the improved construction and arrangement ofthe same, as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A represents the draw, and B is the abutment, upon which the guard Ois pivoted. This guard is composed of a central portion, 0, which is pivoted on a heavy bolt, D. From one side of the central portion,'G, radiates pickets 0, which form the gate or wicket when the bridge is open. In the ends of each of the outer pickets, c, are friction-rollers (I, which operate against the bottom of the draw. On each side of the ends of the draw are other friction-rollers .f, which operate against the sides of the outer pickets when the draw is being opened, and the wicket 0 turns on its pivot and rises in position by the weight of'the heavy counter-weight F, which is attached tothe central portion, 0, opposite the guard or wicket O.

By the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the operation of my device will be easily understood. When the drawis opened the pivoted gate or wicket will swing into position actuated by the counter-weight F, thus cutting off traffic over the bridge as soon as the draw is set in motion till it reaches its vertical posi tion, closing the opening at the abutment. In again closing the draw the friction-rollersfat the end of this hearing against the outermost pickets will gradually tilt the guard or wicket back into its position underneath the draw, thus reopeningtraffic over the bridge.

It will be seen that this device consists of few and simple parts, operating automatically, so that the device is not liable to get out of order. As the guard in its closed position is protected by the draw, it is not liable to be affected by snow or ice, but will always be in good working order.

Havingthusdescribed myinvention, Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Stateslhe combination, with a draw-bridge of a guard or wicket pivoted to the face of the abutments, and having on one side of its fulcrum or pivotal point a series of radial pickets, and on the other side thereof a counterweight heavier than the pickets, and adapted to tilt, by its gravity, the pickets,forming the guard or wicket into an uprightposition across the abutment when the draw is opened, substantially as shown and set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto aftixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GULBRAND E. MORSTAD.

Witnesses:

ADOLF KaiioKsBnRe, GHaIsT S. GARLsoN. 

